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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be annoyed that DCs have homework over half-term?

100 replies

mummy2zni · 27/05/2016 20:42

Finished work today looking fwd to a half term when I'm not working and kids aren't in holiday club and we can just blob around the house. Came home to find out DCs (10 & 13) have been set projects/homework to complete over the holidays.

Aibu to be irked? What about people who are going away? I'd be even more annoyed! Why (especially afters SATS) can't the kids just have a proper break? What do u think?

Rant over.

OP posts:

echt · 27/05/2016 21:35

Agree that the teacher has probably been told to set it, so just send in a note saying you are doing other things.

Also follow up on rewards and punishments for this. Am appalled at the chart for work done cited by Procrastintor

I've never set holiday or weekend homework for any pupils except exam groups, unless asked by individual parents.

MooPointCowsOpinion · 27/05/2016 21:35

I hate setting homework but the amount of parental complaints if I miss a week

I'd love it if parents refused to enforce half term homework, in writing, so A) I have less to mark and B) I can show the head that not all parents think homework is essential.

Catmuffin · 27/05/2016 21:37

I'm wondering if a load of mumsnetters will use Rick's response after the holidays.
We DO NOT do half term or summer holiday etc homework... I have a pre-prepared note. "As a family we do not take advantage of cheaper holiday deals in term time - as we understand that such action could "impact on learning". As such during family time school cannot take advantage of our time as it will "impact on healthy human interaction growth time". If you have any further enquiries please get in touch (not one teacher ever has)!

ProcrastinatorGeneral · 27/05/2016 21:39

Why be appalled at an incentive to further themselves echt? The extra work enhances what is done in class. It's in addition to, not instead of, the normal work. If they take the time to do the work it's right they should be recognised for making the effort.

EveryoneElsie · 27/05/2016 21:39

I used to get holiday homework as a kid and that was the last century.

Justtrying · 27/05/2016 21:40

Dd, reception has 2 reading books, a new set of flash cards and a page to complete in her learning diary, in fairness a normal weekend has a reading book, flash cards and learning diary so having 9 days instead of 2 is a bonus. Her reading is just starting to come together so continuity is key, new flash cards much harder so hopefully will mean a a new reading level after the hols and learning diary only needs a few sentences with a picture, so probably about an hour in total.

echt · 27/05/2016 21:43

Recognition is good, but it should personal to child, a comment in a book not a competition.

The sooner intrinsic benefits of the learning are appreciated by the child, the better.

Also, the teacher doesn't know that the child has taken the time; it could be their parents. This disadvantages those who don't have the home support, rather like attendance and punctuality prizes.

ProcrastinatorGeneral · 27/05/2016 21:52

There is time set aside during the week for the children to do the work should they wish. There's an adult available for help too. There's no barrier to completing this work other than willingness. We can't provide that, but every effort is made to help each child do their best, should they wish to.

As for the reward, it was personalised for the children. Each received a token gift from the class teacher. The children also receive praise and feedback as an ongoing thing, in every aspect of learning, not just homework.

starry0ne · 27/05/2016 21:54

My DS (9) had too look up some information.He spent an hour and a half doing a power point which I am sure he was not required to do but wanted to do it so let him carry on..

He has been doing crafts and drawing today completely out of character but he is learning and enjoying himself all on his own.

He has also watched junk TV, played games on Tv, played outside and done guitar practise..

A nice way to spend inset day I say.

Chattymummyhere · 27/05/2016 21:54

Big fat no to holiday homework. I won't make my kids do it. It's a holiday not homeschooling week. Dh doesn't take a week off to have work at home instead so why should children be made to work though their holidays.

I haven't checks ds's bag yet but if he has got any on the parent comments section I will just write that we where busy as a family enjoying the great outdoors.

StarryIllusion · 27/05/2016 22:04

My kids aren't school age yet but won't be doing homework in holidays either. If I wanted to spend my downtime forcing them to work I would homeschool. They need a break ffs, the amount of pressure put on kids now is insane. The only homework I would make them do is practicing spellings (10 minutes max) and any reading that is set. TBF I can see mine being good readers anyway in the way of not seeing it as a chore. DP and I are both keen readers so hopefully that isn't a battle we will need to have.

lalalalyra · 27/05/2016 22:42

at the end of half term those who put a bit of effort in get a prize.

This sort of thing really pisses me off. My 8yo won't get any praise because he won't have time to do the project, and he certainly won't be able to take up his teacher's suggestion of going to a place that will help his project. Not because he doesn't wish to put in any effort, but because - since he is 8 - he doesn't have control over family activities in the holidays.

This project was set for the holidays. No time in school beforehand, and from previous experience no time after holidays either. It's a holiday project. Set by someone without any knowledge whatsoever of what his parents have planned for the holidays. Yet he'll be the one that doesn't get a sodding sticker on Mrs X's sodding sticker chart and I'll be the one that has to pick up the pieces of that because he hates letting down his teacher.

Ilovehamabeads · 27/05/2016 22:57

DCs have both been set holiday projects. Really pees me off, I have no objection to normal hw but these projects (3d models of an Olympic sport) will take ages and require things we just don't have in the house. We aren't an arty crafty family! We are on holiday for 6 days so ive now got this to sort before we go. Really want to send a note in along the lines of the fab one posted upthread but know my DD would worry about getting into trouble for not having done it.

ollieplimsoles · 27/05/2016 23:05

lala that pisses me off too.

But just give him a reward for something else, better than what he would get at school. Get him to clean his room really well or hel out in the kitchen in his spare time and reward him for that.

thatsn0tmyname · 27/05/2016 23:11

I haven't set any half term homework (secondary science) because.....

KS3 have exams coming up so will be revising.
Year 10 have just done exams so need a break.
There's nothing more depressing than starting a new term chasing up old homework.

In teaching, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.

madamginger · 27/05/2016 23:25

My 3 are all in primary school and I don't make any of them do homework. I will read with them and practice spellings but anything else is a big fat no.
Our time at home is precious, by the time we are home from work/school, had dinner and a play in the garden it's bath time.
Sometimes DD will do hers if it's something she really wants to do but not always.
Luckily the teachers aren't bothered and DD and ds1 are doing very well, ds2 is only in reception and is still practically falling asleep on the walk home from school.

saoirse31 · 27/05/2016 23:38

Bloody teachers, trying to educate your kids. Complain.

Balletgirlmum · 27/05/2016 23:40

Dh is a teacher. He objects to holiday homework.

BackforGood · 27/05/2016 23:43

Mine would have had a note sent in by me at 10 - wish it had been as well written as Ricks
By 13, that's their responsibility to organise themselves.
Flapping One thing I'm glad all my dc are growing up with is a sense of balance in their lives. Work is important, yes, but so is balancing that with play, fun, laughter and relaxation. A holiday is not a time for homework unless you are about to take important, life changing exams

JinRamen · 28/05/2016 00:04

We have a project to do this holiday on the foreign country you have visited complete with pictures please

We do not live in an affluent area and whilst I know one boy has a family home he visits abroad I cannot see that most of the class have been to a different country so the homework will only serve to separate the haves from the have nots. I am quite about it.

seasidesally · 28/05/2016 00:21

year 4 here not one piece of homework set,happy beyond belief

Alligatorpie · 28/05/2016 01:10

I teach overseas and all the parents want holiday homework. I hate setting it, and hate marking it so usually just tell my students to read every day.

I tell my dd's teacher that she won't be doing hers ( often there is a expectation of 1 hr a day) her teachers are fine with it.

Myothercarisalsoshit · 28/05/2016 01:55

I have set holiday homework (year 2)
I am required to set it.
If I don't parents complain.
I would rather not but there you go.
I have tried to make it interesting and fun.
Sorry.

nonicknameseemsavailable · 28/05/2016 02:45

3D model of an olympic sport? send them in with a bamboo cane and claim they have made a javelin.

wheresthel1ght · 28/05/2016 08:06

My dsd is 10 and also just finished her SATs and has homework sorry but yabu

Make them do it over the weekend so it is done and out the way and you have the rest of the holiday to lounge about

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